VA hosted a Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center (V-VEAC) at the end of October for Veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors in Pennsylvania. The program proactively assisted Veterans throughout the state of Pennsylvania with VA benefits, healthcare and resources. It was held in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Military Veterans Affairs, County Veterans Service Offices and United Way 211.
Virtual Veteran Outreach
More than 500 Veterans received one-on-one assistance from the Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center. VA, State, and Veteran and community based organizations helped eligible Veterans in several areas.
These included filing, updating and adjudicating claims; enrolling in VA health care, and scheduling medical appointments; accessing housing and temporary financial assistance, and applying for State Veterans Benefits Assistance.
Veterans eligible for VA health care and not previously enrolled could immediately connect for care during the event.
Personalized Assistance Over the Phone
VA conducts Virtual Veterans Experience Action Centers over the telephone. Veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors can connect to the full range of VA and community-based services and resources in their region. Veterans who register receive a choice of appointment call times and contact with relevant, personalized, professional assistance.
One of the Veterans that called in to the event said, “Both people that I talked to were very very helpful and kind. I have cognitive problems and they were not pushy with me when I could not think of the words. I am so glad you guys did this. I have been wanting to put in a claim for some time now.”
Veterans requested three services most frequently during the event. In order, they were assistance with a disability claim increase, finding an appeal’s status, and assistance submitting a new claim.
While 7% of the local Pennsylvania Veteran community is female, 20% of those assisted were female callers. VA performed intentional outreach to this generally under-represented Veteran population.
Veterans Rate Action Center Experience
Out of the more than 500 participants in the Pennsylvania Veterans Experience Action Center, 221 agreed to a survey about the event.
Overall, 86% of those surveyed said they were satisfied with their experience. Recommendations from participants included
- “This event worked for me. When you can’t reach VA in person or by phone – this event is needed. Thank you.”
- “It was excellent! This was outstanding. Especially for someone who is disabled. I have my little ones here and to be able care for them and be called without having to go out, especially with my difficulties walking, was very helpful.”
More information
For more information about VA’s Community Veteran Engagement Boards or to adopt the CVEB or Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center model in your community, please email Vet-FriendlyCommunities@va.gov.
To access general information about VA services such as disability, pension, health care eligibility, enrollment and burial benefits, Veterans can call toll-free to 1-844-MyVA411 (698-2411).
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I hope my long post made it. Sorry.
I have many cognitive problems, due to radiation leaks, while undergoing 3 separate squamous cancer operations. The Doctor, who knew it all… did not remove the entire saliva gland that the cancer on my face above it, leaked down to. He left half, causing spread to my neck and now I have zero saliva glands and 5 or more less lymph nodes. The Japanese have just discovered 2 hidden salivarimucous glands above the palate bone. Discovered during a head radioactive sugar mri, these 1.5 inch long glands produce excess mucus once chemo and radiation damaged. This has caused my inability to swallow properly, lose my taste buds completely, at times, too. Similar to dementia, I have good and bad days. I got the super strong flu shot recently. The pains, the anguish, phantom sickness. Etc., almost caused me to miss in person voting. I must use a cane some days, i hold on to shopping carts, bring hot water in thermos, just to be active. I now live alone, but do not need assistance at all at home. Some days i can’t eat, but made french toast, yet to be eaten…
The VA frequently neglects to fill my pain medicine, oxy condone 5mg, 3x daily, minimum so I can move and get out of bed. The Japanese station that I watch gives less partisan political views than our great country, since their declining birth rates and fewer native workers have researched much better than we have. Please confirm the study I found on line, science view or something, on that . Forget the ,, facebook. Music keeps me alive. I’m so lonely. I am not suicidal or I’d have ended it long long ago. I resent the badgering the VA presents to me monthly. I had a nervous breakdown in the Navy, they then gave me heavy heavy thorazine and kept me under until the VA lowered my dosage and I came out of it, so I owe the VA a lot. My sad life is long. But constant prayer to the Bleesed Mother has been all I can do to have faith, honesty integrity my name. Frank, means candid and honest, I try my very best to do this, but I’m crying now. Have mercy on us, or legalize pot or anything that might help. I don’t want a fight every month. For the meds I need. Keep up your good work. If I talked at length about all the misfortunes I’ve suffered through ALONE, prayer being what got me through life so far, I’ll have you crying, too. I asked to adopt me long ago, in solitary confinement because my ex wife wanted riches from a car accident, lied to get me jail time, no bail. I dare you to contact me. Frank